Project by

Managing Director of Fun Abounds Trampoline Centre and Head Coach of Sky High Trampoline & DMT Club

Fly High Sky High aims to fund the refurbishment of the four trampolines currently used by the elite performers of Sky High Trampoline & DMT Club, whose home is Fun Abounds Trampoline Centre in Uckfield, East Sussex. The Centre is the only facility of its kind in Sussex and draws trampoline gymnasts from all over Sussex, Surrey and Kent, providing trampoline and DMT (Double Mini Trampoline) for all ages and abilities without exception.

Where did it all begin?

The aim of Fun Abounds is to provide trampolining to everyone and to have a dedicated Trampoline Centre is undoubtedly the best way to do that. After having spent years hiring space in Leisure Centres, breaking our backs putting up and taking down trampolines, the search was on to find a permanent home and the site in Uckfield happened just at the right time. We started in the middle of one of the worst recessions ever with no heating, no members, no class structure in place, but with the knowledge and passion to make it work. We were only awarded a 5 year temporary Change of Use which we have recently applied for and succeeded in making permanent. We have now been going for 5½ years and have had many times when we thought we would go bust but we have managed to hold on and now the Centre is going from strength to strength. One of the contributing factors in this success is that Sky High Trampoline & DMT Club, created in 2011, became a registered Charity in 2013 and took over the management of the Centre and all the activities that take place within it.

The main reason for Fun Abounds success however has got to be those that work there. Stella Jackson is Managing Director of the Centre and Head Coach of Sky High and heads a team of extremely dedicated, committed and passionate people. Stella and Gail Andrews are High Performance Coaches, the highest coaching level of trampoline and they lead a highly qualified coaching team, who have the same desire and passion for the sport as themselves. Many of the older Club members have also now embarked on the coaching route, transferring their skills to those that come after them. If the Centre is to keep on going, it is vital to have others who can continue what has been started into the future.

Sky High Trampoline & DMT Club is the competitive branch of the Centre and since it started in 2011, has become a force to be reckoned with on the County, Regional, National and International scene. The Club currently has 22 National level performers, including 2 in the National Disability category. One of our elite performers, Erifilly Heonos, became British Champion in her age group in September 2014 and returned from the World Age Games, held in Daytona Beach USA in November 2014, with a Bronze medal in DMT at the mere age of 12! (all self-funded as British Gymnastics will only pay for those in the Senior team) This is only the start – there is so much still to come! Remember every sportsman or woman, at some time in their lives, dreams about representing their country, experiencing the passion and sheer excitement of drama and competition at the highest level.

What needs to be done?

The regular finances of the Centre provide for all running expenses and minor repairs, but specific fundraising is necessary for larger items. Year on year, the specification of the equipment used at National and International events gets higher, constantly pushing the boundaries with the aim of achieving superior performance. The Club has four trampolines used by the elite trampoline squad, which although good quality, now need to be refurbished in order to match these demands. The trampoline gymnast’s performance height is essential to gain podium places, every centimetre extra jump height making a difference and the Club needs its equipment to be of the highest quality in order to simulate this level of competition as closely as possible. Sadly, high spec comes at a price and we need £10,000 to bring all four trampolines up to the highest level.

Why help?

By supporting this project you will be helping us make a real difference for our elite trampoline gymnasts. By helping us refurbish our trampolines, you'll enable us to increase our success on the competition circuit and in turn enable these magnificent performers to realise their dreams.

Thanks for taking an interest – we really do appreciate your support. We have some amazing rewards on offer, so please help us as much as you are able.

How can you help us?

• A few minutes – Pledge to our campaign and select a reward!

• A few minutes – Like us on Facebook, tweet a link to our campaign on Twitter.

• 10 minutes – Tell your friends about Fly High Sky High.

• 15 minutes – Highlight our campaign with your local community group or workplace. Perhaps you can fundraise together for a greater reward?

• 30 minutes – Visit our website www.funabounds.co.uk and read about Sky High’s continuing success and the Centre’s wonderful work within the community.

• A few hours – Organise a fundraising activity to help to gain an even greater reward.

Rewards

Get £5 reward

A massive thank you via Facebook and Twitter for believing in our project

3 backers so far

Get £10 reward

A massive thank you via Facebook and Twitter and a postcard signed by all our National performers

5 backers so far

Get £15 reward

A massive thank you via Facebook and Twitter and a lime green Sky High Water Bottle

2 backers so far

Get £20 reward

A massive thank you via Facebook and Twitter and a voucher for a Fun 'n' Bound session. An hour of playing on the trampolines and in the foam pit. A chance to throw yourself around, do some crazy skills, let off steam and have some fun!

1 backer so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £30 reward

A massive thank you via Facebook and Twitter and a voucher for a Jump Fit session. With a trampoline to yourself for half hour and an instructor telling you what to do and demonstrating how to do it. It's equivalent to a 2 hour workout in the gym but much more fun!

0 backers so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £40 reward

A 100% cotton T-shirt printed with the Sky High Trampoline & DMT Club logo

0 backers so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £50 reward

A 10% special offer discount card for pledgers on all activities at the Centre valid for one year

0 backers so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £60 reward

A Hoody printed with the Sky High Trampoline & DMT Club logo

0 backers so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £80 reward

A Private 1-Hour Lesson with one of our Coaches

0 backers so far

Get £100 reward

A Private 2-Hour Lesson with one of our High Performance Coaches

1 backer so far

Get £150 reward

A Sky High Leotard/Unitard

0 backers so far

Estimated delivery: July 2015

Get £200 reward

Your Company logo and weblink listed on our website as a corporate supporter

0 backers so far

Get £500 reward

An opportunity for businesses/individuals to have a 3 hour session with exclusive use of the Centre with Coaches. A great time for team-building, appreciation, reward which all involved will appreciate and remember forever!